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A Highly Recommended Book

The Hymn has been of great importance to the people in the South throughout their history. In life and in death the ministry of the psalms and hymns have been a vital part of the fabric of life.

Little is known about Southern Hymnology and almost nothing is known about Confederate Hymnology. A gospel minister observing the Confederate army at worship declared, “The voices which now poured forth their strength in singing the songs of Zion had shouted in the charge and the victory.”

One Southern minister, theological educator and hymn writer remonstrated, “We cannot afford to lose these old hymns. They are full of the Gospel; they breathe the deepest emotions of pious hearts in the noblest strains of poetry; they have been tested and approved by successive generations of those that loved the Lord; they are the surviving fittest ones from thousands of inferior productions; they are hallowed by abundant usefulness and tenderest memories.” This was written by Rev. Dr. Basil Manly, Jr. one of the founding professors of Southern Seminary.